New Orleans to vote on funding school repairs, two changes to city charter

By Sophie Kasakove

Source: The Times-Picayune | Nola.com

October 1, 2023

New Orleans voters heading to the polls Oct. 14 will punch ballots for governor, the legislature and several other state and local elected positions. They’ll also see three citywide ballot measures, one aimed at renewing tax funding for school buildings and two that would make changes to the city charter.

The millage, if passed, would renew an existing property tax dedicated to preserving and repairing NOLA Public School facilities. The Orleans Parish School Board, which governs the school district, could continue levying the tax at the current rate of up to 4.97 mills for an additional 20 years starting in 2025. It is projected to raise $420 million over that period for investments in existing school facilities.

Funding from the School Facilities Preservation Millage would be used for roof replacements, new air conditioning systems and window repairs, according to public school officials.

The existing millage has been in effect since voters approved it in December 2014. It is set to lapse in 2024.

The school district argues that the 20-year millage would allow it to plan for the long term. Many major investments made in school facilities between 2010 and 2020 will require major maintenance work between 2025 and 2045, according to the district.

The bulk of the funds collected from the renewed millage would be dedicated to existing 10-year capital plans for each school campus and unplanned emergency projects. Officials emphasize that the millage on the ballot is not a tax increase but a renewal of the existing tax.

“There’s always that unknown that we can’t necessarily plan for, but that we are planning for by allocating these funds,” said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Avis Williams.

In a report released last week, the nonpartisan Bureau of Governmental Research voiced its support for the measure, arguing that the “tax is critical to sustain the quality of public school facilities,” and that state law regarding school preservation will ensure fair funding between schools.

Charter changes
New Orleans voters will also decide whether to approve a charter amendment proposed by the New Orleans City Council that would create a new, stand-alone “Department of Code Enforcement.”

The city currently relies on several departments and offices to conduct code enforcement activities, which council members argue creates significant inefficiencies.

Another charter amendment proposed by the council would extend the council’s budget review period from one month to two months.

The current review period is insufficient to effectively evaluate the city’s $1.5 billion operating budget, the council argues. According to BGR, the Cantrell administration supports the amendment.

The Bureau of Governmental Research released reports supporting both charter amendments.

Fair Use Notice

This site occasionally reprints copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues and to highlight the accomplishments of our affiliates. We believe this constitutes a “fair use” of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is available without profit. For more information go to: US CODE: Title 17,107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.